Memory of a Mall. . .

Today's Miami Herald has a headline that reads "Cocowalk Sold Again for $87.5 Million".   Boy, did that bring back memories.

For you non-Grovites, CocoWalk is an iconic outdoor shopping mall in the heart of Coconut Grove.  It opened in 1990 to great fanfare and success with early tenants like Banana Republic and South Florida's first Cheesecake Factory.  In recent years it has fallen on hard times, but  I remember those early days well, because I was very much there.  Serving as the center's public relations agency during the building stage and responsible for giving it a name.

CocoWalk's original developer was an upscale French real estate company and my firm was hired during the preliminary stages to get publicity in the local papers and TV stations about its imminent arrival.  It was to be the very first truly commercial enterprise in the center part of the Grove, an area that was just emerging from its hippy period during the 60's, and artsy atmosphere during the 70's and 80's,

One of my first jobs was to name the new enterprise, and as was my practice, I came up with three suggestions, making it very clear that I thought the first was definitely the one with which they should go.
The Grove was originally developed by the Peacock family and one of its distinguishing characteristics is Peacock Park on the edge of Biscayne Bay.  Thus, my first name choice for this exciting new open air mini-mall was, drum roll please. . .Peacock Walk.

Everyone in our office loved the name, as did the ad agency when we told them.  Former New Yorker's among us were quick to note that the famous bar, in that city's posh Waldorf Astoria Hotel, was also called Peacock Walk.  I couldn't wait to present my choice at our next meeting with the client.

I did present it. With a flourish. Followed by dead silence from the client's side of the table.

"Is there a problem?" I inquired sweetly.  "Umm," said the boss client, an elegant Frenchman, looking vaguely embarrassed at what he was about to say.  "Peacock," he murmured, all the time looking down at the table.  "Not such a nice word in France. Do you have another suggestion, mon petit?"

That's how Coconut Grove's first mall got named CocoWalk. The second name on my list.
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